Parotid tx

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I had the same procedure done elsewhere, with Dr Gordon's guidance.In my case, a plastic mesh face mask was made to hold my head in the same position.I don't think the mask issue has anything to do with the loss of CD4 cells.  Why are the parotids enlarged in the first place?  Because they are full of lymphocytes!  The parotids normally contain a healthy number of lymphocytes, and in some, I suspect partially as a consequence of improved health, this lymphoid tissue increases in amounts, leading to distortion of the face. The radiation destroys lymphocytes, therefore, your CD4 (lymphocyte) counts drop.   I think that some decline in CD4 counts is normal with this procedure.On May 24, 2006, at 12:56 PM, PozHealth wrote: Each person is supposed to get special metal  plates made  just for them to protect organs around the parotids.. I was given a  previous  patients  plates because the fit was good, I was told.. I know the  techs were  annoyed about me being scheduled at 11am.. Before the treatment my  cd4 was  always ,repeat always ,hi 600s and hi 700' about 31%. 5 days after  treatment  was done my cd4 went down to 409, a loss of 240 from a month prior.  and I can  only get them up to hi 400's low 500's. So I think between the lack of   special plate made for me and the technique of the techs I lost cd4.'s  Barrowpozbod@...